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Phish Debut A New Song and a Cover at SPAC

Phish debuted a new song and a new cover during their first night at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. “Yarmouth Road,” a reggae infused tune, made its appearance in the middle of the first set, while Apples in Stereo’s “Energy’ was played for the first time as the second set opener. The songs were part of an otherwise pretty heavy hitting show.

The band kicked off set one with a fun “Kill Devil Falls” that was followed by a “The Moma Dance” that went into “Sample in a Jar,” while “Birds of a Feather” moved into a raucous, crowd pleasing jam. After that song ended, keyboardist Page McConnell gave a shout out to a friend named Ian that he saw in the crowd before noting that it was the Ian of “Ian’s Farm,” a place that the band last played in August of 1987. “Yarmouth Road” came next and it was followed by a nice “Bathtub Gin.” The nearly 90 minute set then came to a close as “My Friend, My Friend” segued into a take on the Talking Heads’ “Cities,” with “David Bowie” finally wrapping it up.

The new cover of veteran indie group The Apple in Stereo’s “Energy” cover got things going as the set two opener. (Phish have covered fellow Elephant 6 collective stalwarts Neutral Milk Hotel as well as indie groups ranging from TV on the Radio to Pavement.) However the song was upstaged by an extended, very psychedelic “Light” that played into “The Mango Song” then “46 Days” and another newer tune, “Steam.” Anastasio teased “Divided Sky” during “Drowned,” which transitioned into a slow building “Slave to the Traffic Light” that played out the set. The Vermont quartet then returned to the stage for “Character Zero” and glowsticks went flying as the show came to a close.

Comments

There are 10 comments associated with this post

Dave Donohue July 6, 2013, 00:59:13

Thanks for the nicely written summary. One correction – it was actually Page who recognized “his friend Ian”, which started the banter and drew cheers before Trey mentioned the farm. Trey noted that Ian always roasted a pig when Phish played at Ian’s farm.

Kindguyry July 6, 2013, 08:44:06

That’s explains what happened to Guyute!

Tkizzle July 6, 2013, 10:36:15

Did anybody else notice the Light theme in the second set? Energy lyrics ,“and there’s a light inside of you..”, Light (obvious), Mango Song, “Lifting up his head, he feels the sunlight in his eyes…”, 46 Days (written about one of Phish’s light crew), Steam, “of sunlight dancing through the steam.“Slave to the Traffic Light (also obvious)... I guess the only caveat was Drowned unless I am missing something

Zelmo July 6, 2013, 14:04:25

I saw a slightly different theme – and I know it’s geek-like. I found it to be about energy – waste and conservation. Even Mango (tranquil and serene until he runs out of supplies). Go ahead and slam me – but that was my hit.

Zelmo July 6, 2013, 14:09:44

Also – Drowned – tidal energy/sea-levels rising.

MarZaPhiGar July 6, 2013, 16:22:52

I dunno. Good singin, good playin. That’s what it was to me.

phishphansrfunny July 6, 2013, 18:35:18

!!

Leroy July 7, 2013, 01:25:32

Yeah, Zelmo, I hear the waste>conservation theme there.
Could have played “Waste”
I thought it was science rock at it’s best.
Lots of fun!

Freddy Mercury July 7, 2013, 07:50:42

Did anyone notice that Trey blinked right before the encore. That made me blow my load. Rock on bitches!

js July 7, 2013, 21:30:20

Did anyone else notice the Phish theme in the first set…and how Trey played guitar and Mike played bass….I dunno, just a theory….NERDS